Apparatus for cooling computer body by introducing cooling air therein

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an apparatus, which circulates a refrigerant in a computer body to produce cooling air and introduces the cooling air into the computer body, thus cooling the computer body. The apparatus includes an opening hole formed in either of side covers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow of external air. A cooling hole is formed in the side cover in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole. A cooling means is provided inside the side cover of the computer body, produces cooling air and cools a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting the refrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank, thus cooling the interior of the computer body with the cooling air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a cooling apparatus whichintroduces cooling air into a computer body to cool the computer bodyand, more particularly, to a cooling apparatus, which circulates arefrigerant in a computer body to produce cooling air and introduces thecooling air into the computer body, thus cooling the computer body.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known to those skilled in the art, electronic equipment suchas computers generally includes parts which emit heat.

In order to maintain the temperature of the electronic equipment, forexample, the computer within an operating range, a variety of types ofcooling apparatuses have been proposed to eliminate heat from heatemitting parts.

That is, as conventional cooling apparatuses which have been developedand are being used currently, a water cooling type apparatus, an aircooling type apparatus, a gas and refrigerant combination type apparatusand other cooling apparatuses have been proposed. However, a forced aircooling type apparatus using a fan has been widely used.

The conventional apparatuses have many problems. One of the problemsfound in the conventional cooling apparatuses is insufficient coolingability. As the electronics industry has rapidly developed, theintegration density of parts increases continuously and thus thermaldensity also increases. Thus, although the performance of a cooling fanis continuously improving, the apparatuses which are currently widelyused have a limit for sufficiently eliminating emitted heat.

Further, in order to increase cooling ability, the cooling apparatusbecomes large and complicated, which is undesirable.

The air cooling type apparatus is problematic in that noise is generatedbecause of the use of a fan, in addition to insufficient coolingability.

That is, the air cooling type apparatus is greatly affected by theposition of a computer body. When air does not circulate smoothly or hotair is not discharged smoothly from a computer to the outside, thecooling efficiency of operating equipment in the computer isconsiderably reduced, thus causing the malfunction of the equipment.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a computer cooling apparatuswhich introduces cooling air into a computer body while using theexisting air cooling method, thus rapidly cooling heat generated byoperating equipment in the computer, and preventing a reduction inoperating efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind theabove problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a cooling apparatus which forcibly circulates arefrigerant in a heat exchanger to produce cooling air and forciblysupplies the cooling air into a computer body, so that the cooling aircan cool the computer body by flowing into the computer body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coolingapparatus, which can be detachably mounted to a computer body, so thatit can be selectively used when necessary.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coolingapparatus, which checks the internal temperature of a computer anddisplays it, thus rendering control of a cooling operation possible,therefore enhancing cooling efficiency and stabilizing the operation ofparts of the computer.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a coolingapparatus, which can be installed and used in an existing computer body,so that changes in structure and volume attributable to the installationof the cooling apparatus are not required.

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention providesan apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling airtherein. The apparatus includes an opening hole formed in either of sidecovers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflowof external air. A cooling hole is formed in the side cover in such away as to be spaced apart from the opening hole. A cooling means isprovided inside the side cover of the computer body, produces coolingair and cools a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting therefrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank, thus cooling an interior ofthe computer body with the cooling air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus forcooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of introducingcooling air into the computer body and cooling the computer body, in thecooling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus forcooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according toa second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of thecooling apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus forcooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according toa third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a projected plan view illustrating the cooling apparatus ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus forcooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which a casing isfastened to the computer body, in the cooling apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a computer body andan apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling airtherein, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a projected perspective view illustrating the coolingapparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of thecooling apparatus of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the state in which the computer body iscooled using the cooling apparatus of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus for cooling heat generated froma computer body 110 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention includes an opening hole 112, a cooling hole 115, and acooling means 170. The opening hole 112 is formed in either of sidecovers 111 closing both side surfaces of the computer body 110 so as topermit external air to flow into the computer body 110. The cooling hole115 is formed in the side cover 111 in such a way as to be spaced apartfrom the opening hole 112. The cooling means 170 is provided inside theside cover 111 of the computer body 110, and generates cooling air andcools a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting arefrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank 130, thus cooling the interiorof the computer body 110 with cooling air.

First, the opening hole 112 is formed in either of the side covers 111closing both side surfaces of the computer body 110 so as to permit theinflow of external air, and the cooling hole 115 is formed in the sidecover 111 in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole 112.

Further, the cooling means 170 performs thesupply-circulation-collection process for the refrigerant stored in therefrigerant tank 130 which is provided inside the side cover 111 of thecomputer body 110, thus producing cooling air and cooling a refrigerantand thereby cooling the interior of the computer body 110 using thecooling air.

Here, the cooling means 170 includes a compressor 171 which increasesthe pressure of low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to asaturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at whichthe refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, with the refrigeranttank 130 provided in the compressor 171.

Further, the cooling means 170 includes a condenser 172 to change ahigh-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, which is suppliedfrom the refrigerant tank 130 by pumping action, into a low-temperatureliquid refrigerant which is cooled.

Such a condenser 172 is installed in back of the opening hole 112, andhas a plurality of heat dissipating plates 122 arranged in a row and arefrigerant pipe 111 passing through the heat dissipating plates 122 ina zigzag fashion. A condenser fan 172 a is provided on a surface of theheat dissipating plates 122 in such a way as to be opposite to theopening hole 112, and is received in a recess which is formed by cuttinga part of the heat dissipating plates 122 so as not to interfere withthe refrigerant pipe 121.

The condenser 172 is formed such that four sides thereof are surroundedby a cover 172 b attached to the side cover 111, thus preventing hotheat generated from the condenser 172 from being transmitted to theinterior of the computer body 110.

When the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser 172 moves from a narrowpassage to a wide passage, an expansion valve 173 reduces the pressureof the refrigerant to evaporate it.

Further, an evaporator 174 obtains cold air using the evaporating heatof the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passing throughthe expansion valve 173, and is connected to the compressor 171 totransmit the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to thecompressor 171.

The evaporator 174 is installed in back of the cooling hole 115 which isformed in the side cover 111.

The evaporator 174 is provided in back of the cooling hole 115, and hasa plurality of heat dissipating plates 122 arranged in a row and therefrigerant pipe 121 passing through the heat dissipating plates 122 ina zigzag fashion. A blast fan 140 is provided on a surface of the heatdissipating plates 122 in which the cooling hole 115 is formed, and isreceived in a recess which is formed by cutting a part of the heatdissipating plates 122 so as not to interfere with the refrigerant pipe121.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5B, an apparatus for cooling heat generated froma computer body 110 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention includes a cooler 123 and a heat exchanger 120 which aremounted to a side cover 111 of the computer body 110. The coolingapparatus 1000 is constructed so that a refrigerant stored in arefrigerant tank 130 circulates in the heat exchanger 120 to producecooling air and a refrigerant having increased temperature passesthrough the cooler 123 to be cooled and collects in the refrigerant tank130, thus cooling the interior of the computer body 110 using thecooling air.

The heat exchanger 120 is provided on either of the side covers 111closing both side surfaces of the computer body 110, and is installed inback of an opening hole 112 which permits the inflow of external air.

Further, the cooler 123 is provided in back of a cooling hole 115,spaced apart from the opening hole 112, in such a way as to besurrounded by a closing plate 116, and is connected to the heatexchanger 120 so that a refrigerant is transmitted from the heatexchanger 120 to the cooler 123.

The heat exchanger 120 includes a refrigerant pipe 121 which is arrangedin the zigzag fashion so that the refrigerant of the refrigerant tank130 circulates in the refrigerant pipe 121, and heat dissipating plates122 which are coupled to the refrigerant pipe 121 to dissipate heat.

The cooler 123 functions to cool the refrigerant which converts externalhot air into cooling air while passing through the heat exchanger 120and is thus increased in temperature. Heat generated at the time ofcooling is discharged through the cooling hole 115 to the outside.Further, the closing plate 116 prevents the heat generated at the timeof cooling from being transmitted to the interior of the computer body110.

Such a cooler 123 includes a cooling pipe 123 a which is arranged in azigzag fashion such that the refrigerant flows through the cooling pipe123 a, and a plurality of heat dissipating plates 123 b which areprovided around the cooling pipe 123 a.

The cooling pipe 123 a is connected to the refrigerant pipe 121 of theheat exchanger 120 to permit the flow of the refrigerant.

The refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 130 installed in a casing113 of the computer body 110 is supplied, circulated, and collected tothe heat exchanger 120 by pumping action, thus producing cooling air andthereby cooling the interior of the computer body 110.

A blast fan 140 is installed in back of the heat exchanger 120 of theside cover 111 to supply cooling air, produced by the heat exchanger120, into the casing 113 of the computer body 110 using the blowingforce of the blast fan 140.

That is, when the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 130circulates in the heat exchanger 120, the blast fan 140 is operated, sothat air existing outside the computer body 110 passes between the heatdissipating plates 122 of the heat exchanger 120 and is cooled, prior toflowing into the computer body 110.

Further, the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger 120 passesthrough the cooler 123 to be cooled, prior to collecting in therefrigerant tank 130.

A display 150 is provided on the exterior of the front of the casing 113of the computer body 110 to display the operation of the blast fan 140and the internal temperature of the computer body 110.

Here, the internal temperature of the computer body 110 which is shownon the display 150 is detected by a temperature sensor which is notshown in the drawings.

The cooling apparatus also includes a power switch 161 and an actuatingswitch 162. The power switch 161 controls power for a refrigerantcirculating pump 131 which forcibly circulates the refrigerant to theblast fan 140, the heat exchanger 120 and the cooler 123. The actuatingswitch 162 controls the operation of the refrigerant circulating pump131.

Further, the blast fan 140 and the refrigerant circulating pump 131 maybe constructed to be powered by electricity supplied from the computerbody 110 or from an additional power source.

Here, in the case of using power of the computer body 110, power issupplied through a power supply unit 114 to the computer body 110.Meanwhile, in the case of using the additional power source, power maybe supplied through a plug.

Further, the refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 130 is supplied,circulated and collected by the pumping action of the refrigerantcirculating pump 131.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention, opening holes 112 are formed in either of side covers111 closing both side surfaces of a computer body 110 to permit theinflow of external air, and a cooling hole 115 is formed so as not tointerfere with the opening holes 112. A cooler 123 is installed in backof the cooling hole 115 in such a way as to be surrounded by a closingplate 116.

A heat exchanger 120 may be provided in the lower portion of a casing113 of the computer body 110.

Further, in order to circulate cooling air produced from the heatexchanger 120, a blast fan 140 may be provided inside the opening holes112 of the side cover 111, and the cooler 123 may be provided at a sideof the blast fan 140.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an apparatus for cooling heat generated froma computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to afourth embodiment of the present invention, includes a casing 20 whichis detachably mounted to a side of the computer body 10. A refrigeranttank 30 installed in the casing 20 supplies, circulates, and collects arefrigerant through pumping action, thus producing cooling air in acooling means 80. The cooling air produced by the cooling means 80 issupplied into the computer body 10 using the blowing force of a blastfan 50.

The refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 30 installed in the casing 20,which is detachably mounted to a side of the computer body 10, issupplied, circulated and collected by pumping action, thus producing thecooling air in the cooling means 80.

An exhaust hole 21 is formed in either of the front or rear wall of thecasing 20 for an exhaust operation, and a cooling air hole 22 is formedto be opposite the exhaust hole 21 for the supply of cooling air.

Here, the cooling means 80 includes a compressor 81 which has therefrigerant tank 30 therein and increases the pressure of alow-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to a saturationpressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which therefrigerant may be condensed and liquefied.

Further, the cooling means 80 includes a condenser 82 to discharge heat,generated when a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerantsupplied from the refrigerant tank 30 by pumping action is changed intoa low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled, to the outsideusing the blowing operation of a blast fan 82 a.

Such a condenser 82 is installed in back of the exhaust hole 21, and hasa plurality of heat dissipating plates 42 arranged in a row and arefrigerant pipe 41 passing through the heat dissipating plates 42 in azigzag fashion. A condenser fan 82 a is provided on a surface of theheat dissipating plates 42 in such a way as to be opposite to theexhaust hole 21, and is received in a recess which is formed by cuttinga part of the heat dissipating plates 42 so as not to interfere with therefrigerant pipe 41.

The condenser 82 is formed such that four sides thereof are surroundedby a cover 82 b attached to the casing 20, thus preventing hot heatgenerated from the condenser 82 from being transmitted to the interiorof the casing 20.

When the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser 82 moves from a narrowpassage to a wide passage, an expansion valve 83 reduces the pressure ofthe refrigerant to evaporate it.

Further, an evaporator 84 obtains cold air using the evaporating heat ofthe low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through theexpansion valve 83, and is connected to the compressor 81 to transmitthe low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to the compressor81.

The evaporator 84 is provided in back of the cooling air hole 22, andhas a plurality of heat dissipating plates 42 arranged in a row and therefrigerant pipe 41 passing through the heat dissipating plates 42 in azigzag fashion. A blast fan 50 is provided on a surface of the heatdissipating plates 42 in such a way as to be opposite to the cooling airhole 22, and is received in a recess which is formed by cutting a partof the heat dissipating plates 42 so as not to interfere with therefrigerant pipe 41.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an apparatus 100 for cooling heat generatedfrom a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to afifth embodiment of the present invention, includes a refrigerant tank30, a heat exchanger 40, and a blast fan 50. The refrigerant tank 30 isinstalled in a casing 20 to store a refrigerant therein. The refrigerantsupplied from the refrigerant tank 30 circulates in the heat exchanger40. The blast fan 50 functions to forcibly supply cooling air, producedby the heat exchanger 40, into the computer body 10.

The casing 20 is mounted to a side of the computer body 10. A display 60is provided on a surface of the casing 20 to display the operation ofthe blast fan 50 and the internal temperature of the computer body 10.

The cooling apparatus 100 also includes a power switch 71 and anactuating switch 72. The power switch 71 controls power for arefrigerant circulating pump 31 which forcibly circulates therefrigerant to the blast fan 50. The actuating switch 72 controls theoperation of the refrigerant circulating pump 31.

Here, the casing 20 may be made of a metal or plastic material.According to the present invention, the casing 20 is manufactured tohave a box shape, so that the casing 20 can be easily attached to ordetached from the computer body 10.

The refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 30 installed in the casing 10 issupplied, circulated and collected by pumping action, thus producingcooling air in the heat exchanger 40.

That is, when the refrigerant circulating pump 31 pumps the refrigerantin the refrigerant tank 30, the supply, circulation and collection ofthe refrigerant is performed.

At this time, the heat exchanger 40 includes a refrigerant pipe 41 whichis arranged in a zigzag fashion to allow the refrigerant of therefrigerant tank 30 to circulate, and heat dissipating plates 42 whichare provided around the refrigerant pipe 41 to dissipate heat.

That is, cooling air produced in the heat exchanger 40 is supplied tothe interior of the computer body 10 using a blowing force which isforcibly generated by the blast fan 50.

Further, the casing 20 may be detachably mounted to the computer body10.

The blast fan 50 and the refrigerant circulating pump 31 may beconstructed to be powered by electricity supplied from the computer body10 or from an additional power source.

Among both side surfaces of the casing 20, one side surface of thecasing 20 which is opposite to the computer body 10 is open to be incontact with atmospheric air, so that the heat dissipating plates 42 ofthe heat exchanger 40 are exposed to the outside. The other side surfaceof the casing 20 is open such that the blast fan 50 is exposed to theoutside, thus allowing the cooling air to be supplied to the interior ofthe computer body 10.

Further, a filter may be provided on the front of the heat exchanger 40to eliminate impurities present in external air which is introducedthrough the open portion by the suction force of the blast fan 50.

The operation and operational effect of the present inventionconstructed as described above will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling means 170 of the computer coolingapparatus 1000 increases the pressure of a low-temperature andlow-pressure gas refrigerant in the compressor 171 to a saturationpressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which therefrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, prior to transmitting therefrigerant to the condenser 172.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant fed to thecondenser 172 is changed into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant whichis cooled, and then is fed to the expansion valve 173.

At this time, the cover 172 b prevents heat generated by the condenser172 from being transmitted to the interior of the computer body 110, sothat the heat is discharged to the outside through the opening hole 112by the blowing operation of the condenser fan 172 a.

When the liquefied refrigerant transmitted to the expansion valve 173moves from the narrow passage to the wide passage, the pressure of therefrigerant is reduced and the refrigerant is evaporated, so that therefrigerant is transmitted to the evaporator 174.

Further, cold air is obtained using the evaporating heat of thelow-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant fed to the evaporator174. The cold air blows into the computer body 110 by the operation ofthe blast fan 140.

That is, the evaporator 174 may produce cold air because air existingaround the plurality of heat dissipating plates 122 is rapidly cooled.

Further, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant is fedfrom the evaporator 174 to the compressor 171.

The refrigerant circulating through the compressor 171, the condenser172, the expansion valve 173 and the evaporator 174 in regular order istransported by the pumping action of the refrigerant circulating pump131.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5B, in order to use the computer coolingapparatus 1000, the opening hole 112 is formed in one of the side covers111 of the computer body 110 to permit the inflow of external air.

One opening hole 112 or a plurality of small opening holes 112 may beformed in the side cover 111.

Subsequently, the cooler 123 and the heat exchanger 120 are installed toclose the cooling hole 115 and the opening hole 112 of the side cover111, and the blast fan 140 is installed in back of the heat exchanger120. The side cover 111 is attached to the casing 113 in such a way thatthe blast fan 140 faces the interior of the computer body 110.

Next, power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump 131 of therefrigerant tank 130 and the blast fan 140. In the present invention,power is supplied by the power supply unit 114 of the computer body 110.

As such, when the power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump131, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 130 is fed to theheat exchanger 120.

The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant pipe 121 of the heatexchanger 120 by the operation of the refrigerant circulating pump 131,and simultaneously the blast fan 140 is operated.

The surrounding air of the heat exchanger 120 is cooled by therefrigerant circulating through the refrigerant pipe 121. While airflows from the outside of the computer cooling apparatus 1000 throughthe opening hole 111 to the heat dissipating plates 122 of the heatexchanger 120 by the operation of the blast fan 140, the air is cooledand then introduced into the computer body 110.

Further, in order to re-cool the refrigerant which has circulatedthrough the heat exchanger 120 to produce the cooling air, therefrigerant is cooled while flowing through the cooling pipe 123 a ofthe cooler 123, and then re-enters the refrigerant tank 130. Thereafter,the refrigerant is circulated and collected in the heat exchanger 120.The process is repeatedly performed.

Here, heat which is generated when the refrigerant flowing through thecooler 123 is cooled is discharged to the outside through the coolinghole 115, but is not transmitted to the interior of the computer body110 because of the closing plate 116, thus preventing a reduction incooling efficiency.

The cooling air obtained in this way flows into the computer body 110,thus performing a cooling function together with coolers which serve tocool heat generated when the devices of the computer body 110, includinga CPU board and a graphic card, are operated.

Therefore, the present invention adopts a method of introducing coolingair from the exterior to the interior of the computer body 110, in placeof a conventional method of discharging heat, generated when the devicesin the computer body 110 are operated, to the outside, thus enhancingcooling efficiency.

Further, the computer cooling apparatus 1000 may be detachably mountedto the computer body, so that the computer cooling apparatus 1000 may beselectively used as necessary according to the provided conditions.

A filter may be additionally provided on the front of the opening hole112 so as to remove impurities from external air introduced into theopening hole 112 by the suction force of the blast fan 140.

Further, the operation and operational effect of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 will be described below.

Referring to the drawings, the cooling means 80 of the computer coolingapparatus 100 increases the pressure of a low-temperature andlow-pressure gas refrigerant in the compressor 81 to a saturationpressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which therefrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, prior to transmitting therefrigerant to the condenser 82.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant fed to thecondenser 82 is changed into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant whichis cooled, and then is fed to the expansion valve 83.

At this time, the cover 82 b prevents heat generated by the condenser 82from being transmitted to the interior of the casing 20, so that theheat is discharged to the outside through the exhaust hole 21 by theblowing operation of the condenser fan 82 a.

When the liquefied refrigerant transmitted to the expansion valve 83moves from the narrow passage to the wide passage, the pressure of therefrigerant is reduced and the refrigerant is evaporated, so that therefrigerant is transmitted to the evaporator 84.

Further, cold air is obtained using the evaporating heat of thelow-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant fed to the evaporator84. The cold air blows into the computer body 10 by the operation of theblast fan 50.

That is, the evaporator 84 may produce cold air because air existingaround the plurality of heat dissipating plates 42 is rapidly cooled.

Further, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant is fedfrom the evaporator 84 to the compressor 81.

The refrigerant circulating through the compressor 81, the condenser 82,the expansion valve 83 and the evaporator 84 in regular order istransported by the pumping action of the refrigerant circulating pump31.

Meanwhile, in order to use the computer cooling apparatus 100 of FIGS.10 to 13, a supply hole 11 is formed in a surface of the computer body10 to supply cooling air.

One supply hole 11 or a plurality of small supply holes 11 may beformed.

Subsequently, in the state in which a side surface of the casing 20 ofthe computer cooling apparatus 100 through which the blast fan 50 isexposed is aligned with the supply hole 11, the casing 20 is attached tothe computer body 10.

The casing 20 and the computer body 10 may be coupled to each other byusing magnetic force or fastening bolts. In this embodiment, thefastening method using the bolts is used.

Next, power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump 31 of therefrigerant tank 30 and the blast fan 50. According to this embodiment,power is supplied by the power supply unit 12 of the computer body 10.

As such, when power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump 31,the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 30 is supplied to theheat exchanger 40.

The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant pipe 41 of the heatexchanger 40 by the operation of the refrigerant circulating pump 31,and simultaneously the blast fan 50 is operated.

The surrounding air of the heat exchanger 40 is cooled by therefrigerant circulating through the refrigerant pipe 41. While air flowsfrom the outside of the computer cooling apparatus 100 to the heatdissipating plates 42 of the heat exchanger 40 by the operation of theblast fan 50, the air is cooled and then fed through the supply hole 11into the computer body 10.

The cooling air cooled in this way flows into the computer body 10through the supply hole 11 thereof, thus cooling heat generated when thedevices of the computer body 10, including a CPU board and a graphiccard, are operated.

Therefore, the present invention adopts a method of introducing coolingair from the exterior to the interior of the computer body 10, in placeof a conventional method of discharging heat, generated when the devicesin the computer body 10 are operated, to the outside, thus enhancingcooling efficiency.

Further, the computer cooling apparatus 100 may be detachably mounted tothe computer body, so that the computer cooling apparatus 100 may beselectively used as necessary according to the provided conditions.

As described above, the present invention provides a cooling apparatuswhich forcibly circulates a refrigerant in a heat exchanger to producecooling air and forcibly supplies the cooling air into a computer body,thus cooling the computer body by introducing the cooling air into thecomputer body.

The present invention provides a cooling apparatus, which can bedetachably mounted to a computer body, thus being selectively used whennecessary.

Further, the present invention provides a cooling apparatus, whichchecks the internal temperature of a computer and displays it, thusrendering control of a cooling operation possible, therefore enhancingcooling efficiency and stabilizing the operation of parts of thecomputer.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a cooling apparatus, whichcan be installed and used in a conventional computer body, so thatchanges in structure and volume attributable to the installation of thecooling apparatus are not required.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. An apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling airtherein, comprising: an opening hole formed in either of side coversclosing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow ofexternal air; a cooling hole formed in the side cover in such a way asto be spaced apart from the opening hole; and cooling means providedinside the side cover of the computer body, producing cooling air andcooling a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting therefrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank, thus cooling an interior ofthe computer body with the cooling air.
 2. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the cooling means comprises: a compressor increasing apressure of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to asaturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at whichthe refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, with the refrigeranttank being provided in the compressor; a condenser discharging heatgenerated when a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, fedfrom the refrigerant tank by pumping action, is changed into alow-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled to an outside by ablowing operation of a condenser fan; an expansion valve reducing apressure of the refrigerant, when a liquefied refrigerant passingthrough the condenser moves from a narrow passage to a wide passage,thus evaporating the refrigerant; and an evaporator obtaining cold airusing evaporating heat of a low-temperature and low-pressure gasrefrigerant passing through the expansion valve, and connected to thecompressor to transmit the low-temperature and low-pressure gasrefrigerant to the compressor.
 3. An apparatus for cooling a computerbody by introducing cooling air therein, comprising: a heat exchangerprovided in back of an opening hole which is formed in either of sidecovers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflowof external air; and a cooler provided in back of a cooling hole whichis formed in the side cover in such a way as to be spaced apart from theopening hole, surrounded by a closing plate, and connected to the heatexchanger such that a refrigerant is transmitted from the heat exchangerto the cooler, wherein a refrigerant in a refrigerant tank, provided ata predetermined position in a casing of the computer body, is supplied,circulated, and collected through the heat exchanger to the coolerthrough pumping action, thus producing cooling air and cooling therefrigerant, therefore cooling an interior of the computer body with thecooling air.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein a blastfan is provided in back of the heat exchanger of the side cover tosupply the cooling air from the heat exchanger into the casing of thecomputer body using a blowing force of the blast fan.
 5. The apparatusas set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a display exteriorlyprovided on a front of the casing of the computer body to displayoperation of the blast fan and an internal temperature of the computerbody; a power switch controlling power of the refrigerant circulatingpump which forcibly circulates the refrigerant to the blast fan and theheat exchanger; and an actuating switch controlling operation of therefrigerant circulating pump.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5,wherein the blast fan and the refrigerant circulating pump are poweredby electricity supplied from the computer body or from an additionalpower source.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein thecooler is provided in back of the cooling hole which is formed so as notto interfere with the opening hole formed in either of the side coversclosing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow ofexternal air, and is surrounded by the closing plate, and the heatexchanger is provided at a lower position in the casing of the computerbody, so that a refrigerant having increased temperature is cooledthrough the cooler and then is fed to the refrigerant tank.
 8. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the blast fan is providedinside the opening hole of the side cover to circulate the cooling airproduced by the heat exchanger.
 9. An apparatus for cooling a computerbody by introducing cooling air therein, comprising: cooling meansproducing cooling air by supplying, circulating, and collecting arefrigerant of a refrigerant tank through pumping action, therefrigerant tank being provided in a casing which is detachably mountedto a side surface of the computer body; and a blast fan supplying thecooling air, produced by the cooling means, to an interior of thecomputer body using a blowing force of the blast fan.
 10. The apparatusas set forth in claim 9, wherein the cooling means comprises: acompressor increasing a pressure of a low-temperature and low-pressuregas refrigerant to a saturation pressure corresponding to a condensingtemperature at which the refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied,with the refrigerant tank being provided in the compressor; a condenserdischarging heat generated when a high-temperature and high-pressure gasrefrigerant, fed from the refrigerant tank by pumping action, is changedinto a low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled to an outsideby a blowing operation of a condenser fan; an expansion valve reducing apressure of the refrigerant, when a liquefied refrigerant passingthrough the condenser moves from a narrow passage to a wide passage,thus evaporating the refrigerant; and an evaporator obtaining cold airusing evaporating heat of a low-temperature and low-pressure gasrefrigerant passing through the expansion valve, and connected to thecompressor to transmit the low-temperature and low-pressure gasrefrigerant to the compressor.
 11. An apparatus for cooling a computerbody by introducing cooling air therein, comprising: a heat exchangerproducing cooling air by supplying, circulating, and collecting arefrigerant of a refrigerant tank through pumping action, therefrigerant tank being provided in a casing which is detachably mountedto a side surface of the computer body; and a blast fan supplying thecooling air, produced by the heat exchanger, to an interior of thecomputer body using a blowing force of the blast fan.
 12. The apparatusas set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a display provided at apredetermined position of the casing to display operation of the blastfan and an internal temperature of the computer body; a power switchcontrolling power of the refrigerant circulating pump which forciblycirculates the refrigerant to the blast fan and the heat exchanger; andan actuating switch controlling operation of the refrigerant circulatingpump.
 13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the casing isdetachably mounted to the computer body, and the blast fan and therefrigerant circulating pump are powered by electricity supplied fromthe computer body or from an additional power source.